I have been a GM guy for most of my life ( my intire family works for or is retired from GM) I have an 01 and 04.5 DMAX. The 04.5 I am fighting with GM to buy back due to engine surging problems. ( the 01 has 285,000 and still running well with no problems to speak of) The GM techs tell me the 05's do the same thing as my 04.5 and GM does not know how to fix, so needless to say I am looking at Dodge and Ford.

I drove a new QC 4x4 cummins Auto a couple days ago. Nice truck!

Question, how has the trans been doing behind that Cummins? That was really my only concern with the truck, and now that they are giving the employee to everyone it is my front runner. The posts on the Ford site about the massive problems with the 6.0 have pretty much steered me away from it.

Your feed back would be very helpful, I tow every weekend a 5er at a little over 10K.

Thanks.

 

Welcome to the bright side of diesel trucks!

All of the new trucks have their share of problems, but if you can believe what you read, and past history, the Dodge/Cummins is the Lance Armstrong of diesel pickups. The others have their good days, but in the end, the Dodge/Cummins is the wnner.

Even with the Cummins HO and the 48RE, I wouldn't think a 10K 5'er would put up much of a fight.

I'm sure some of the guys here with similiar trucks and trailers will be glad to chime in with their opinions. Also, you might want to browse the Towing and Hauling forum for some of their comments and information.

 

Cummins = Manual Trans. That's just my opinion though!

However the NV5600 is on the way out. I am not crazy about the new manual trans. But I haven't driven one yet. According to many sources the new trans causes the engine to rev more at highway speed. I don't like the sounds of that!

Dodge has had a bad track record with autos. So I stick with the proven...the stick shift. Good luck!

 

I have a 10,000 loaded Wildcat 5er and the 48re auto. Pulls like a dream. Some people have complained about not being able to "lock-out" OD. The 05 transmission has beconme very intelligent. It locks the TC in 3rd and 4th (OD) and will select 3rd when needed and stay there. I am very pleased with the transmission performance. I might have bought the manual but my wife also drives when we taake the RV and her shoulder problem negates getting the manual. We both love it.

 

Only 1500 miles here, but no complaints so far with the 48Re trans. If I had to make one complaint, it does seem to hold 3rd longer than needed when the load evens out after heavy throttle. Need to back way out of the gas to get it to jump back in OD, but thats better than it hunting I guess. Otherwise, it's 10 times better than my E4OD was.

 

I'm also a (chevy) guy driving a Dodge, I looked at both before I bought one, and as you can see I got the Dodge. I got the auto because of my wife, with a manual trans I might have the truck and boat in the water. I have 9K on mine now with no complaints, but I guess time will tell, but the Cummins speeks for it's self, I'm more worried about the body and other things.

 

Rumors, Rumors, Rumors, Ford, Chevy, and the aftermarket auto trans suppliers are the ones that beat the dodge transmission down. Sure there have been failures just like any mechanical product.

There was a study done a while back on auto transmission failures in dodge, chevy, and ford diesel trucks. I don't remember who but it was a reputable company and unbiased. The numbers were something like (can not remember exact numbers):
Dodge--------3.4% failure rate
Ford-----------3.8% failure rate
Chevy---------4.2% failure rate

If your going to get the auto for heavy towing it is recommended to get the 4:10 gears. I know some guys say that their 3:73 geared trucks work just fine but we all know that what works for some is not exceptable for others. It has been proven time and time again that the 4:10's do not get worse fuel mileage and in some cases get better fuel mileage. The Cummins likes to rev higher in the newer trucks and the brake static fuel consumption follows along. The older 12 valves trucks had a better brake static fuel consumption number at lower rpm's, while the 24 valved trucks have a better static fuel consumption number at higher rpm's, and the third generation with even higher rpm numbers to reach peak Hp is even a little more higher.

This is not just opinion, it is from reading forums, research, and owning diesels pickups for the last 6 years. I have been around diesel tractors since the mid 60's.

 

Love my 48re. I curently have 12321 miles, at least 6000 miles of heavy hauling in upwards of 28,000 gross. I am a former 03 Ford 6.0 Powersrtoke owner, loved the truck, hated the engine problems. I lemoned lawed the truck and used the money to buy a Cummins. I didn't buy a dodge I bought a Cummins

 

I also had ran nothing but Chevrolets my whole live up until 3 weeks ago. I got out of a 03 Dmax/6 speed and went to a CTD/NV5600. There are pros and cons to both brands but I went with Dodge. Proven CTD and no egr. Problems with the newer LLY's overheating and egr system.
I am glad of my new purchase.

 

the 48RE is an awesome trans until you get above the 800tq levels then it can start to slip. on a stock motor though it does great.

 

Since the 48re was introduced half way through 2003 it has proven to be a durable transmission. FWIW, I also tow a 10,000 pound Wildcat fiver and with almost 28,000 miles my tranny is as good as day one.

If the 48re is the only hang up you have for buying a Dodge please rest assured because you have better odds of an Allison or Torqueshift crapping out before the 48re will.

Last but not least is the fact that for 2006 the Jacobs Exhaust Brake is factory approved for the 48re.

 

Check this thread out. John has been beating this trans from day one.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=72185

 

If you buy a new one make sure you dont get the plastic intercooler. I think they are doing away with that idea..

 

Thanks for the feed back.

I was not asking based on hearing bad things about the trans, for that matter there is little bad said about these trucks on this site. Seems the big complaint here is the seat? I was asking due to tha fact that the cummins puts out a lot of true torque and you need somthing stout to distribute the power. My wife also drives the truck and that drops the stick as a possibility.

Sounds like the 48re does a good job. I will know by the 27th what GM is offering for the problem child, I just hope it happens before the employee price and rebates drop.

 

Let us know...............